A blog devoted to Reno's economic recovery

What do Aces mean to downtown? Take our poll & read the comments

On Sunday, the RGJ's Brian Duggan looked into more background on the Reno Aces deal. Readers responded; Here are a sample of the comments:

"The ACES schedule has home games about 14 days a month for six months of the year … So that means that the much-hyped businesses that surround the Stadium only have guaranteed traffic for that limited time … You then have two questions: Where does the money come from? … Would this be what people would choose to spend the money on?" – Robert Parker

"I thought the $1/ticket surcharge established last season was to help cover (recover) some of this loss. If not, why are we paying more? … I go for the baseball, not the park. Moana Stadium was a mess, but tickets were cheap, and it didn't kill my personal budget, or the city's …" – Jessica Goza Smith

"The thought of it closing down and abandoned are incomprehensible. I believe it would destroy downtown, which is already in trouble. I know it's wrong to have the city general fund pay for it, but what choice is there?" – Rick Jackson

The city authorities made the right decision in the beginning with what was true at the time. It may cost a little to keep it going now, but the cost to abandon it is immeasurable. Aces Ballpark is without a doubt the brightest thing going in downtown Reno, and a tremendous source of pride for our community. It's also the type of thing Reno/Sparks needs to further enhance our quality of life as an attraction for high quality enterprise considering relocation to this area.

First the Aces then what's next? Apple? What business is going to want to work with Reno, when we cannot honor a signed contract. The Aces Ball Park was the best thing to happen to Downtown in the 10 years we've lived here

HOW forunate we are to have the Aces. My family and I have gone to a number of games for great outdoor entertainment. The city authorities should consider the message they are sending to other businesses and to the non gaming community of families in Reno.

I do not understand the entitlement mentality that sports team owners have regarding venues for their teams. Why should a city's taxes go to pay for a venue while the people who pay those taxes also have to pay ticket prices? Katzov can move his team if he wishes; the stadium is a nice, modern ballpark that any minor league franchise would be happy to occupy practically the second the Aces leave. I would rather that not happen, but Katzov is a millionaire with a billionaire partner who is demanding money from a struggling city during the Great Recession. If he truly believes he can find revenue with a Diamondbacks franchise in another city, he's welcome to do so. There are minor league teams playing in cities half the size of Reno who would jump at the opportunity to occupy the new stadium.